At the helm of Denver-based Housefish is Scott Bennett, a former Indy-car designer. Using formaldehyde-free woods and zero-VOC paints, Housefish creates modular shelving such at the "short stack" of three shelves from the company's Key Modular Storage line. Info: housefish.com.

Small, online home decor businesses offer unique ideas

Updated December 29, 2012 3:17 PM

At the helm of Denver-based Housefish is Scott Bennett, a former Indy-car designer. Using formaldehyde-free woods and zero-VOC paints, Housefish creates modular shelving such at the "short stack" of three shelves from the company's Key Modular Storage line. Info: housefish.com. (Credit: AP)

Small, online home decor businesses offer unique ideas and direct contact with the owners. Here's a sampling of some U.S.-based companies selling items that can help make a statement in your house....

Get unlimited digital access $14.99 A MONTH

Small, online home decor businesses offer unique ideas and direct contact with the owners. Here's a sampling of some U.S.-based companies selling items that can help make a statement in your house.

(Credit: AP)

The "board" of Art of Board is the skateboard, and designs from the company both incorporate broken decks -- such as a sink backsplash -- and utilize the pieces to imprint ceramic tiles. Info: artofboard.com.

(Credit: AP)

At the helm of Denver-based Housefish is Scott Bennett, a former Indy-car designer. Using formaldehyde-free woods and zero-VOC paints, Housefish creates modular shelving such at the "short stack" of three shelves from the company's Key Modular Storage line. Info: housefish.com.

(Credit: AP)

At the heart of Kismet Tile are its cement, encaustic tiles, but the company recently expanded into metallic wallpaper and expects to create ceramic tiles someday. Founder Tracey Reinberg works with a Morrocan factory to create tiles including the Hexagon No. 8. Info: kismettile.com.

The 5-year-old Mediterra Tile, based in Tumacacori, Ariz., crafts hundreds of tile varieties in several finishes in its studio in central Mexico. Info: mediterratile.com.

(Credit: AP)

The hand-blown glass chandeliers and pendant lighting from Niche Modern are created in a studio in Beacon, N.Y. Included in the company's catalog is the Sola 36 Modern Chandelier, which comes in five finishes and nine colors. Info: nichemodern.com.

(Credit: AP)

Niche Modern creates its 9 Pack Modern Chandelier, with pendants hand-blown in translucent amber, in its Beacon, N.Y. studio. Info: nichemodern.com.